NBA Roundup: Deng still out for Bulls, Stoudemire to miss at least 2 games

May 04, 2013|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NBA Roundup: Deng still out for Bulls, Stoudemire to miss at least 2 games

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng remained in a Chicago-area hospital Saturday and was set to miss Game 7 of the Eastern Conference playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets.

Deng was hospitalized Wednesday with an illness. His symptoms indicated that he could have meningitis. He underwent a spinal tap. Deng was sent home on Thursday but returned to the hospital Friday after he felt worse.

"As a result of the spinal tap I suffered the worst headache I've ever experienced and been the weakest I've ever felt," Deng wrote on Twitter.

Also, guard Kirk Hinrich was to be a game-time decision with a bruised left calf. He has missed the last two games because of the injury. Derrick Rose is ruled out for the game because he is still recovering from ACL surgery, but it has been reported that he could return sometime during the playoffs.

---New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson told reporters after Saturday's practice that forward Amar'e Stoudemire will not be able to play until at least Game 3 of their second round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. The series starts on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Stoudemire is recovering from right knee surgery. The Knicks will also likely be without guard Steve Novak on Sunday. Novak missed Friday's first round series-clinching win over the Boston Celtics with back spasms.

Forward Carmelo Anthony has a sore shoulder but his playing status for Game 1 does not appear to be in doubt.

---The Los Angeles Clippers plan to spend a week evaluating coach Vinnie Del Negro before making a decision on his future with the team, according to ESPN Los Angeles.

The Clippers won 56 games in the regular season but were ousted from the Western Conference playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Clippers sources told ESPN Los Angeles that several factors will be considered in judging Del Negro, who is in the last year of his contract.

Phil Jackson's name has been brought up as a possible coaching candidate but a team source said that is unlikely because of his relationship with cross-town Los Angeles Lakers executive Jeanie Buss.

The team's biggest priority this summer, however, is point guard Chris Paul, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

"I got a lot of time to think about that," Paul said after Friday's game. "As I do with any decision I make, I consult with my wife, my parents, my brother, my family. I might even let little Chris chime in on this. We'll see what happens."

Paul will be eligible to sign a five-year, $108 million contract extension after July 1. He previously rejected a three-year, $60 million extension last year.